This Week You Should Try... The Nails Inc Two-Week Gel Manicure

Manicures are a recent beauty venture for me, but I've always kept my hands and nails in reasonably good nick and I've been a fan of colourful polish.

I was the girl in year six who was sent to the nurses office at least twice a week to remove the varnish I'd oh-so naughtily dared to wear to school. But having my nails done profesh? Something I'd never bothered about - until now.

Having someone else shape and paint you nails is a rather luxurious affair, especially if you're handed a flute of pink champagne to sip on while said shaping and painting is going down. And that's exactly what I was treated to at the Nails Inc Champagne Nail Bar at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge.

Upon arrival I was greeted by smiley nail technician Natalie who presented me with a whole wall of nail polish (what a dream) to choose from. Truth be told, it took me a while to settle on a colour because there was SO much choice. After toying with an apple green, deep red and jet black I opted for a peachy posh sounding shade called Wellington Square - when in Knightsbridge.

I've got a phobia of long squared-off nails (no seriously, they massively freak me out) so Natalie suggested I opt for more rounded shape as she got busy with the file and the cuticle cutter. After the shaping came the gel base coat, a two minute stint under a UV lamp and then lashings of colour.

Nails Inc also offer a three-week gel mani in a smaller selection of varnishes. Being the type of gal who changes her polish twice-weekly that kind of colour commitment isn't for me! A chip-free fortnight is the perfect beauty remedy.

After my treatment, I waltzed around Mayfair - a little champagne tipsy - trying my best to flash my fancy nails at anyone who'd take notice. A week and a bit later, they're still fresh and result! I'm not even bored of the colour.

A two-week gel manicure is £50 at the Harvey Nichols Champagne Nail Bar and £38 at other Nails Inc salons. Visit the website for more information.